RNLI lifeboat volunteers helped rescued a dog which had an unlucky start to 2017 by getting stuck in a precarious position on a high-up cliff.

The crew from Little and Broad Haven RNLI was paged to launch after reports from the dog’s owner that he had disappeared over the cliff and could be heard barking from below.

The owner was worried that the dog, called George, may have fallen down the cliff.

The station’s D-class inshore lifeboat and its volunteer crew launched shortly after 10am on Sunday (January 1) and made best speed to the area of Goultrop in good weather conditions and moderate seas.

Once on scene one crew member went ashore but the dog was stuck about 40ft from the bottom of the cliff.

A member of the Coastguard Rescue Team, which was also on scene, was lowered down and located George before putting him into a dog rescue bag for his safety.

George was then lowered to the bottom of the cliff where both the dog and Coastguard Rescue Team member were taken back to Little Haven by lifeboat.

Andy Grey, lifeboat operations manager at Little and Broad Haven RNLI, said: "The dog owner did exactly the right thing by calling for help and not attempting to rescue George himself, which could have put themselves in danger as well.

"This incident required good teamwork between our lifeboat crew and the Coastguard Rescue Team and we were glad to make sure George and his owner were able to enjoy the New Year unscathed."

Among the rescue crew was RNLI volunteer Vivienne Grey, who this week was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours.